A blog launched on the 41st anniversary of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), the first pro-life organisation in the world, established on 11 January 1967. SPUC has been a leader in the educational and political battle against abortion, human embryo experimentation and euthanasia since then. I write this blog in my role as SPUC's chief executive, commenting on pro-life news, reflecting on pro-life issues and promoting SPUC's work.

Monday, 28 January 2013

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Mon 28 Jan

Elton John receives new surrogate baby

MPs must reject government bill vandalising marriage
Members of Parliament must reject the government's same-sex marriage bill, as it will "vandalise" marriage. SPUC made the call following the announcement that the bill will be debated in Parliament on Tuesday 5 February, at '2nd reading' (the first main debate on a bill). Paul Tully, SPUC's general secretary, said: "The bill is wrong in principle and must be stopped now. We urge people to contact their MPs immediately to ask them to attend the 2nd reading debate and vote the bill down." [SPUC, 24 January]

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John Smeaton

About me

I became involved in SPUC after graduating, when I established a branch in south London in 1974. I have worked full-time for SPUC for 33 years. I became director of SPUC in the UK in 1996, having been general secretary since 1978. I was elected vice-president of International Right to Life Federation in 2005. At UN conferences in Cairo, Copenhagen, Beijing, Istanbul and Rome, I helped coordinate more than 150 pro-life/pro-family groups resulting in pro-life victories in Cairo, Istanbul and Rome. I was educated at Salesian College, London, before going to Oxford where I graduated in English Language and Literature. I qualified as a teacher, becoming head of English at a secondary school. I am married to Josephine. We have a grown-up family and we live in north London.

Acknowledgement

I am grateful to SPUC's staff, supporters and advisers for their help to me in researching, writing and producing this blog.

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I believe that I am allowed to use the images accompanying my blog and that they are licence- and royalty-free. However if the owner or the licensor disagrees, please contact me and I will remove it immediately.